Black Walnut
Juglans nigra • Hardwood
Grain Pattern
Straight grain with a cathedral figure transition in the flat-sawn section; semi-porous texture with a slightly irregular and wavy pattern visible at the heartwood boundary.
Color Description
Distinctive contrast between creamy white sapwood and chocolate brown heartwood. Includes grey and purple streaks. Heartwood typically lightens/yellows with age and UV exposure, while sapwood may slightly darken.
Hardness Rating
1,010 lbf (Medium Hardness)
Durability Rating
Durable to Very Durable regarding heartwood rot and decay; SAPWOOD is highly susceptible to insect attack and rot.
Common Uses
Fine furniture, cabinetry, veneer, gunstocks, interior paneling, turned objects, and specialty small wood items.
Geographic Origin
Eastern United States and parts of Central North America.
Market Value & Sustainability
Estimated Market Value
$10.00 - $18.00 per board foot depending on thickness and width/grade.
Wood Age Estimate
Freshly milled or recently surfaced stock (0-2 years since harvest). The absence of significant oxidation or yellowing in the sapwood suggests the wood is relatively young/freshly cut.
Sustainability Status
Not listed in the CITES Appendices or on the IUCN Red List; widely available and generally considered sustainable in North America.
Workability
Excellent workability with both hand and machine tools. Planes and glues well. Can occasionally have grain tear-out in figured areas. It has a distinct walnut scent when cut.
Notable Features
Faint, pleasant spicy scent; known for its high shock resistance and dimensional stability; sapwood is traditionally steamed to match heartwood color in commercial production, but this sample is unsteamed.
Finish Recommendations
Varnish, lacquer, or polyurethane all work well. Penetrating oils (tung or linseed) are highly recommended to enhance chatoyance and natural color contrast.
Identification Confidence
High; the color contrast between the sapwood and darkened heartwood, combined with the cathedral grain and semi-porous surface texture, is characteristic of Juglans nigra.